Create RNodes

This section contains the tools and guides necessary to create more RNodes. Creating any number of RNodes is completely free and unrestricted for all personal, non-commercial and humanitarian purposes. If doing so provides value to you or your community, you are encouraged to contribute whatever you find to be reasonable.

If you want to create RNodes for sale or commercial purposes, please read the selling RNodes section for more details.

Firmware Source Code

If you would like to inspect or compile the RNode Firmware source code yourself, you can download a copy of the RNode Firmware source-code stored in this RNode.

Getting Started

To create your own RNodes, there are generally three distinct paths you can take:

• The first, and easiest option, is to create a basic RNode from one of the supported development boards. This option allows you to simply acquire a board from any online or local vendor that sells them, and then use the rnodeconf program to automatically turn it into an RNode. Such an RNode will be functionally equivalent to the other options, but might lack some niceties.
• The second option is to use one of the RNode Build Recipes included here. These recipes contain all the resources needed to build a specific type of RNode, such as a handheld device, or an outdoor-mountable, solar-powered access point.
• The third option is to create your own RNode design from scratch. This offers unlimited flexibility, but is a bit more involved.

If you already have some experience with 3D-printing and electronics projects, the recommended path is to pick a build recipe for the RNode type you want. That way, you will get a neat and portable unit that's ready for real-world use.

If you are just getting started, it might be nice to get a working "proof-of-concept" with minimal effort first, though. In such a case, creating a basic RNode is a good starting point.